Aleksandar Mitrovic was the man that some sections of Newcastle United’s fanbase felt deserved to be handed the number 9 shirt at the start of the season.

When the coveted shirt was handed to Dwight Gayle there were even some supporters who expressed disappointment that the former Crystal Palace striker would be the next in line for the famous number.

The theory that the Newcastle number 9 shirt is a special shirt is often mocked by rival fans, but after the likes of Malcolm MacDonald, Mick Quinn, Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer wore it with great success there is plenty of history that goes with it.

Down the decades there has been more emphasis on talented individuals, especially given United’s failure to win a major honour since 1969 and a lack of great teams over the years.

Could Mitrovic be leaving? (Image: 2016 Newcastle United)

Mitrovic has had some nice moments at Newcastle, but has plenty of work to do if he is to be regarded a true great.

Yet his manager Rafa Benitez still sees Mitrovic as a young player learning his trade and also feels the Serbian is discovering how to cope with life on Tyneside after arriving as a 20-year-old with a heavy £13million price tag from Anderlecht in 2015.

Benitez told the Chronicle: “I remember talking at the start of the season about the number 9.

“It’s a really important number here.

“When you have a lot of fans and they are used to seeing a top scorer all the time doing really well they expect the number 9 to be great.

“In this case Gayle took number 9.

“But still some fans thought that maybe Mitrovic deserved number 9.

Rafa Benitez (Image: Newcastle United)

“It means good competition for us but more pressure on players, they have to cope with that.”

But Benitez still believes that Mitrovic is still at an educational stage in English football.

He said: “When you are playing regularly, training and even watching games, it’s a process and you are learning every day.

“It’s important that young players realise that they need to do things in the right way.

“I think that’s the case (for Mitrovic).”

And he expects Mitrovic to get much better as time goes by at St James’ Park.

“Maybe it’s not the case with wingers because it’s about pace and ability.

“With centre-backs and strikers they learn every week.

“They learn new things.

“It’s important for a young striker to realise what he has to do every week.

“And he’ll be getting better every time.”

Mitrovic is expected to get his chance against Bristol City but with Daryl Murphy also in contention and Dwight Gayle expected to be back sooner than expected, he might have to grab it with both hands.